Whether you were a thespian, a theatre geek, a drama llama or anything in between, this is a tribute to you. We weren't always the most popular in school, or even the most normal, but we knew how to have fun. And for that, we'll always be grateful to the good times theatre gave us. Here's to reminiscing!

1. When you got a part

"Mom! I got Sister Sophia in Sound of Music! What? Yeah, I know it's not Maria but...I have lines! Two of them! I'm stoked!"

Seeing your name next to something, ANYTHING, on the cast list was always a whirlwind of emotions. Sometimes your name was next to Poppy #7 in Wizard of Oz, other times you were Shrek in Shrek: The Musical (yes, that's a REAL thing). Some parts made you happier than others. But mostly, you were pumped you got anything! You made the play! Woo!

2. When an upperclassmen spoke to you

"MOM! A senior knows MY name! ME! What? No, she didn't just read it off my sweatshirt, I really think she knows it!"

Oh my gosh, the upperclassmen were celebrities in my underclassmen mind. They were the leads, they led warmups, they were the coolest people in the cast, and if you made eye contact or said hi to any of them, you had a mini heart attack. Well, that might've just been me, I was a super awkward underclassmen. Of course, once you actually become an upperclassmen, you realize it's totally a sham. And you think it's hilarious and kind of awesome if anyone actually does look up to you. And you're grateful for it.

3. When you got to stage kiss

"Oh my gosh, mom! I have a stage kiss! I'm so excited! What? Mom, we're just friends...what? Don't call his mom!"

This is one of the weirdest and (ok, I'll admit it) greatest perks of being an actor. You get to kiss someone you aren't (or maybe are...or wish you were...) in a relationship with! Multiple times! It's a blast. Well, usually. Teenagers are some of the most awkward and horny creatures on earth, and that combination along with stage kisses can lead to a lot of odd situations occurring that you might've never thought you'd encounter. Mindy Kaling wrote in her book, Why Not Me?, that no actor openly admits they enjoy stage kisses for multiple reasons, the main one being admitting you enjoy it can make others (or the person you're kissing) feel uncomfortable. But Mindy writes that she loves them, and I agree with her! Another thing she wrote is that if you're friends with the person you're kissing, you get to connect and bond in a closer way with someone you already love, and if you aren't yet friends with the person, you're getting to know them in one of the most intimate and fun ways possible! How cool is that? Guys, stage kisses are the best. It's kissing with no commitment, just have fun. Just no surprise tongue, ok?

4. When you became a thespian

"Mom! I did it! I'm a thespian! What? No, mom, THES-pian, oh my gosh."

When you finally earned all ten of your required thespian points and were inducted into the International Thespian Society in a cult-like fashion, you knew you had made it. It's like the National Honors Society for theatre, and you were in deep once you got to this point. It's something you could put on a resume, get in an extra yearbook photo for, and carry around a snazzy member card for. I still have mine in my wallet, I want to see how long I can keep it there. Thespians are some pretty cool cats, and there are lots of great opportunities available to them. There's conferences, all-state shows, and even thespian officers, ranging from school positions to international positions. If you're interested in becoming a thespian, check out schooltheatre.org for more information. And as the thespian motto says, "Act well your part, there all the honor lies." I have no idea who wrote that. It was probably Shakespeare.

Just kidding, I just Googled it, it was Alexander Pope. I totally knew that. Well, anyways...

5. When you got your first note

"Hey mom! I got my first note today! What? No, it's a good thing! I got complimented on my expressions, I just have to cheat out and project more!"

Getting called out for a note for the first time is exhilarating. It's a public statement to everyone on something you can improve on or something you did well, and it puts you on the spot and challenges you to do better. As a teenager, this can be terrifying, but after the first few notes you receive, you become immune to the pressure and you welcome notes with open arms. Don't point? You got it! Hold that ending pose longer? No problem! Try belting that high A while tap dancing? Challenge accepted!

6. When you realized everyone in a show matters

"Mom, I know I'm not the lead, but I'm playing a pretty convincing tree, and I think our whole family needs to see that. What? No, I'm tree #3, why?"

So I've definitely been writing this in the perspective of an actor, because that's what I usually do in theatre. But there's a whole world backstage that makes every show happen that people can forget about. Technicians, affectionately referred to as "techies", are extremely valuable assets to theatre productions. And the cool thing is, actors need techies as much as techies need actors. Neither would have a show without the other, and when we come together as a team is when real theatre magic happens. Techie, actor, tractor, pit musician, director, producer, whatever: everyone in a show matters, no matter how big or small your position or role is. We all matter, and we all have a purpose to fulfill. That's a really great message theatre provides, and I love it.

7. When you took your first bow

"Mom, that was the best I've ever felt! What? No, I don't miss doing cross country!"

Not much to say about this, because it's one of the coolest feelings ever, and you'll never forget your first time.

8. When you quit sports to do theatre

"I'm telling you mom, this is what I want to do! I'll stay in shape by dancing, ok? What? Dancing is a real sport, mom."

You finally did it. You stopped attempting sports and you made theatre your #1 after-school activity. At least, that's what I did. I've heard legend of people who can be involved in multiple clubs and organizations and handle all of that responsibility? And still get good grades? Like, what? That's crazy in my mind. I couldn't handle that, I tried to believe I could for almost three years, then I stopped kidding myself, quit newspaper, and here I am: only slightly suffering. I've really made it.

9. When you survived drama...the not-good kind

"Mom it's ok, I can handle it. No, I didn't say that about her. What? Her mom called you? Oh no..."

Ah, yes, Drama drama. The drama-iest of all the dramas. Everyone has some at some point, and it's all so silly once it's over, but when it's happening it seems to be all that matters. Theatre kids are well known for being a bit over-the-top, so when issues start to arise in the theatre family, things can get out of control pretty fast. My advice is to listen to each other, respect each other, and love the crap out of each other. If you do that you won't have too much Drama drama, and you can focus on what really matters: playing extreme pretend for fun.

10. When you had the cast party

"Mom, I'll only be out until, like, 1 ok? What? Ok, ok, I won't get too crazy, I promise!"

Oh man, the cast party. Obviously everyone's invited, so I don't know why it's called a cast party, per say, but I digress. You ate food, you talked, you laughed, you cried. Cast parties were the best. At mine, the graduating seniors gave speeches about their theatre experiences, and everyone cried and we all hugged each other afterward. I got to make two senior speeches in my high school theatre days, and they both sucked. A lot. But I still had a blast being with all my friends, and I wouldn't have changed a thing. I actually have a cast party tonight as I write this!

11. When you found your family

"Mom, I know they're not actually my family, we just call it that. It's a figure of speech. What? Aw, why can't we have them over for Thanksgiving?"

My favorite part of theatre was finding my niche. I found theatre and I found my home. And what makes me so happy is that theatre does that for so many people. Theatre teaches empathy, putting yourselves in other people's shoes. That's why a lot of people drift towards theatre, to feel a sense of belonging. Feeling understood and like you belong are some of the most special things ever, and that's when I knew theatre was for me. I finally belonged somewhere, I fit in, I was with people I was like and who I wanted to be like. I was a part of something special. Part of a family. And I loved it. Amy Poehler has said that, when you do the things you love, you find the people you love. Theatre has given me some of the greatest friendships I've ever had and will ever have, and I'm so lucky I'm able to say that. The theatre family is strong, and it's one I'm grateful to be a part of.

12. When the show finally came together

"Mom! We did it! Nothing went wrong today! What? Mom, it's not going to be perfect every time, it's LIVE THEATRE."

You've been rehearsing for months, and finally, by some crazy miracle, stuff starts to come together. Lines are memorized, cues are loaded, blocking is solid, dances are choreographed, and the story finally seems to make one big picture. This usually ends up being the last show of the run, the Sunday matinee, but nevertheless, it happens, and it's an awesome sight to see. You were a part of something bigger than yourself. You played a part in telling an awesome story, and you got to share that experience with a group of people you love.

Theatre, guys. It's just the coolest.

Here are some of my favorite theatre memories caught on camera! Enjoy!